How to Go Organic at Community College

While some community colleges are cutting costs by boosting tuition rates or reducing instructor positions, other campuses have found an alternative approach. In lieu of sacrificing community college resources, some schools are implementing summer programs that are only four days long.

Leaders of these programs assert that by closing the school one day early each week, the school will be able to save on common costs, such as electricity, water, air conditioning, security, and additional day-to-day expenses.

This new approach, however, is not taking effect without ruffling a few feathers. Opponents of this plan argue that both students and faculty will be overwhelmed with longer work hours that are crammed into a shorter time period. While leaders have not yet found the perfect solution, many community college students are awaiting the reports and results of these proposed schedule changes.

This video offers some suggestions for scheduling your class schedule.

The Four Day School Week

Community colleges have been inspired by how the corporate world has minimized their expenses in the face of a recession. To strengthen their bottom lines, many companies have offered their employees the option to work from home or work four days instead of the standard five. By allowing employees to complete their work in just four days, companies have discovered that their facility costs have dropped, while employees have also benefitted from saving money on fuel.

For those who are artistically inclined, creative, and motivated, there are rewarding career options in the field of jewelry design. According to reports, a jewelry designer earns an average income of just under $29,000 in the first year of work! After just five years of work, a jewelry designer can begin to earn an average of approximately $54,000 per year—and potentially more. To begin an exciting and imaginative pathway in the field of jewelry design, students can start with programs at their local community college.

Jewelry Design Programs and Opportunities

Although many believe that the art of jewelry design simply involves aesthetic skills and training, this career actually incorporates technical understanding. For example, as inexperienced designers begin to craft their first pieces of jewelry, some of the pieces may be too heavy, may feel cumbersome to the wearer, or may not be made of a sustainable and durable material. Furthermore, some jewelry designers have learned to specialize in the creation of allergy-free jewelry, which is created with specific non-irritating materials.

Due to the industry’s technical demands, designers are often more successful when they have a trained background. With the rising interest in jewelry design careers, community colleges across the country are now offering both degree programs and individual courses to provide students with the essential skills to become successful in this field.

North Seattle Community College

Offering a Certificate in Jewelry Design, North Seattle Community College (NSCC) in Washington enjoys reputable

Despite a dwindling economy, many business experts believe there is still room for entrepreneurs. In fact, individuals with striking ideas that are budget friendly may be in for luck at their local community college!

If you have an idea for your own business and want to discover the secrets to entrepreneurship success, sign up at your local community college. With courses specializing in diverse fields, community colleges can help up-and-coming entrepreneurs refine their business concepts, set up their financial goals, and gain insight into the legal requirements of operating a company.

The Benefits between Community Colleges and Business

As the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) supports, community colleges have the opportunity to play an integral role in the economic wellness of a surrounding community. NACCE aims to boost the community college’s traditional role of workforce training into new and innovative forms of entrepreneurial development.

As NACCE explains, with a college’s ties to its community and a nationwide link to fellow colleges across the country, entrepreneurial opportunities result in “Innovative ideas and programs that advance economic growth and prosperity in the communities served by the colleges.” Community colleges can help stimulate job growth, economic development, and tax revenues for the local area by supporting entrepreneurs.

This video offers an overview of the MassBay Community College business program.

Community College Entrepreneur Programs

In a slow economy, single parents often feel the brunt of financial difficulties first. To help all students achieve their academic goals, a rising number of community colleges are providing single parents with special financial support. In fact, single parents may qualify for reduced or even free tuition, which can help them increase their skills and competitiveness in the job market.

The Tremendous Costs of Single Parenting

Many community colleges across the country recognize that single parents face greater financial difficulties than other students. Examining the struggles of single parents, Stamford Plus and Connecticut’s Fairfield County Community Foundation (FCCF) found that a single parent with one child living in the Fairfield area requires a minimum income of $58,000 each year—and this estimate only covers a parent and child’s basic costs!

Adding to this, the FCCF reports that 21,000 local households are comprised of a single female parent with a child or children under the age of 18. To respond to this large population’s needs, Norwalk Community College (NCC) has become a leader in the education field, providing new and innovative programs to support single parents.

On Campus, Single Parents Are Not Alone

Located in Norwalk, Connecticut, NCC has created a new Family Economic Security Program (FESP). With support from the Fairfield County Community Foundation’s Fund for Women and Girls and the NCC Foundation, eligible students will have access to